Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-15

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014)

Student answer (Band 4.5)

This graph shows average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

First we discuss about change copper in 2014 ad it varies every month.As compared to the previous year in January there is 2 percent change.When we compared 2014 February with the previous yearit changes 1 percent. In March it changes only 0.5%.and April is same as March. In May and June it remains same but decreases 0.5%. After that it increases to 1 percent and remains same in July, August and September. Then it decreases slightly to 0.5 percent in October and November. At last ,in December it increases to 0.5 percent.

Now Nickel is 6% increase in January and February increases 4%and in March it increases just 1 percent and remains same April.and further it changes. Sometimes increases and sometime decreases.

In January, Zinc increases 1 percent. In February, 3 percent.In March 2 percent.I April, Just 1.5 percent.In may , it increases 1 percent.In june , it decreases to 1 percent. In july, August, September, it decreases to 0.5 percent. In October, it decreases 1 percent. In November, it increases to 1.5 percent and in December it increases 2 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response reports several relevant monthly figures, including copper’s fall to −0.5% in May and June and zinc’s rise to 2% in December. However, it does not provide a clear overview of the main features, and the nickel account stops after April with the vague statement, “Sometimes increases and sometime decreases,” omitting its sharp fall in June and recovery in November. Some comparisons and descriptions are also inaccurate: copper is said to increase by 0.5% in December, whereas the chart shows 1.5%, and the metals’ changes are repeatedly compared with the previous year rather than the previous month. To improve, summarise the overall pattern first, then select the most significant peaks, troughs and shared movements accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, moving from copper to nickel and then zinc, and month references help the reader follow much of the data. However, there is little overall progression beyond listing figures, and the opening does not establish an overview before the details. The nickel section is especially abrupt and incomplete, ending with “Sometimes increases and sometime decreases,” which does not connect the trend to specific months. Linking phrases such as “After that” and “At last” are used, but the sequence is sometimes repetitive and the paragraphing does not help compare the metals. Grouping the main trends into an overview and two focused detail paragraphs, with clear comparisons, would make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

Vocabulary is sufficient to identify the metals, months and basic movements, using terms such as “increases,” “decreases,” “remains same” and “slightly.” However, the range is limited and repetitive, and some expressions are inaccurate or awkward, including “change copper,” “it changes only 0.5%,” and “increases 4%.” These choices sometimes make the intended relationship unclear, particularly when the response refers to changes “as compared to the previous year,” although the graph shows month-on-month change. Use more precise trend language and vary the verbs and nouns—for example, describe a figure as a rise, fall, recovery or fluctuation. This would make the report more concise and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Most sentences use simple present-tense forms, and the reader can generally understand the month-by-month account. There are also attempts to combine information, as in “After that it increases to 1 percent and remains same.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors recur in articles, prepositions, agreement and sentence boundaries. Examples include “First we discuss about,” “it remains same,” and the run-on sequence “In March it changes only 0.5%.and April is same as March.” Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, as in “In may” and “At last ,in December.” Practise accurate comparative and trend sentences, and use full stops and commas to separate each point clearly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.